Roadshow: Bicyclists must model behavior on same traffic laws as drivers

By Gary RichardsMercury News Staff Columnist

Posted:
03/03/2007 08:29:08 AM PST

Updated:
03/03/2007 08:29:09 AM PST

While driving on Canada Road in Woodside, I found myself behind a large pod of 75 to 100 bicyclists taking up the entire lane. I remained behind them until the passing lane came up and then made my cautious move. The cyclists did not seem happy that I was passing them, and expressed some expletives. What is the rule of the road in this situation? Should I have poked along at 25 mph for two miles until I reached Highway 92?

If bicyclists are going the speed limit, then you must remain behind them until there is room to pass safely. But if the bicycle pack is traveling slower than the flow of traffic, they should ride single file unless passing slower-moving cyclists.

John-The-Biking-Guru adds:

"Whether riding in a group or alone, bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road as motorists. So if a group of bicyclists is going slower than traffic and five or more vehicles are behind them, bicyclists need to pull out at the next safe spot to let people pass. It may be some distance before there's a safe spot to pull out. If bicyclists are traveling at the speed of traffic, they do not need to pull over for motorists who want to go faster. If you're stuck behind a motorist or bicyclist who fails to follow these rules, wait for a safe opportunity to pass."

Bob-The-Bicyclist offers more good advice, what he does when he's behind the wheel: "Having been in this situation, I have gone along at 25 mph until reaching Highway 92.

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The difference for two miles would only cost me one or two minutes at the most. Safety over speed is always the correct way to drive."

On narrow roads, I sometimes find myself following bikes because I don't feel it is safe to pass. Frequently, bicyclists seem not to know I am behind them. I would normally just lightly tap my horn to let them know I am going to pass so they know not to swerve into my path mistakenly. You said it is not OK to honk. I would never lean on the horn, but what about a tap to make sure they know I am behind them? Does that bother bicyclists? What is the preferred approach?

Bicyclists, please respond. How can motorists alert you that they are passing without getting a rude gesture in return?

Oh, Gary, you are going to get sooo many letters about Dave McCracken, who advocates "taking the lane" while bicycling and blocking cars in that lane. What if it's a two-lane highway, double yellow line in the middle, with a 45 mph speed limit and the bicyclist going 35 mph is refusing to let cars by, mile after mile, as on highways 9 and 84? Sounds like a surefire recipe for road rage.

Columns on the proposed legislation that would require motorists to leave a space of three feet between them and bicyclists when passing overheated the Roadshow line. Many drivers were upset that bicyclists often ride several abreast. McCracken countered that the "only way to bicycle safely is to take the lane - ride in the middle of the right lane and explicitly block cars from driving in that lane. If I ride on the shoulder, people will pass me regularly with merely inches of clearance. You can trust cars to move over only if you force them to move over."

As a bicyclist and driver, I know it takes cooperation from everyone using the road. I was driving on Skyline Boulevard returning from mountain biking and there were numerous cyclists out. I was at a curvy portion when I came up to a cyclist. Since there wasn't much of a shoulder, I stayed back and waited for a straight section so the cyclist could ride safely and I could pass safely. When we got to a straight section, the cyclist moved toward the double yellow line rather than the white line. After taking a deep breath, I just stayed back. Cyclists like to talk about sharing the road. It's time we share responsibility. I stay as far right as possible for two reasons: As a driver I am annoyed by those who don't and, as a bicyclist, self-preservation.

A The California vehicle code is clear: Cyclists should ride as far to the right as practicable and slower-moving traffic should stay right to allow faster traffic to pass. Said Greg-The-Silicon-Valley-Bicycle-President: "We all share the same roads. Courtesy and consideration to others will go a long way toward improving safety and reducing friction."